Preparations For PASS All American 400 Enter Home Stretch

Series PR Report

Nashville, TN(September 20, 2012) — With less than two weeks remaining, racers and fans from around the country are making final preparations before they converge on Nashville, TN for the 28th Running of the All American 400. The Fairgrounds Speedway is one of the oldest race courses in the United States and this year’s race promises to build on a history which spans more than a century. Some have been waiting for nearly two years since Twin 200 lappers comprised the All American weekend. While others have been waiting for more than a decade to see the Pro All Stars Series (PASS)

South Super Late Models return the legendary race to a true 400 lap classic. And this year’s contest will definitely be a test of driver and machine as only green flag laps will count to determine the winner’s purse of over $22,000.

In its heyday, the All American 400 brought in the best Super Late Model drivers from all over North America. Legendary names in stock car racing like Lindley, Senneker, Wallace, Miller, Waltrip, Purvis, and Query were good enough to survive 400 laps and hoist Nashville’s famous guitar over their heads in victory lane. Thanks to the efforts of PASS and the Fairgrounds Speedway, the All American 400 will once again see drivers competing from every corner of the United States and even Canada.

The list of drivers pre-entered reads like a “who’s who” in modern short track racing. PASS will provide top talent from both the North and South divisions as competitors come together to also compete for PASS National points. Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark, who have won 9 PASS North Championships between them, will make the long tow down from Maine as will fellow New Englanders Kyle Desousza, Scott Mulkern, and DJ Shaw. Current PASS North points leader Cassius Clark, as well as 2012 Thompson (CT) Speedway track champion Derek Ramstrom, are poised to build on their greats seasons so far at Nashville. Canadians Matt Matheson and Rick Brown hope to make their countryman proud at the Fairgrounds just as Junior Hanley and Randy MacDonald once did. Washington State veterans Garrett Evans and Gary Lewis have reached legendary status in the Northwest and are both planning to travel over 40 hours to race for the Nashville guitar

For the PASS South contingent, the All American 400 holds added importance, doubling as a points race for the Southern championship too. Championship contenders Kyle Grissom, Preston Peltier, Jay Fogleman, and Brandon Ward look to garner valuable points in addition to the prestige of winning the All American 400. Ward has a little less to worry about by virtue of securing an automatic starting position in the 400 by winning the Firecracker 150 at Anderson (SC) Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski Racing teammates Landon Cling and Nate Caruth, along with Ross Kenseth, Gray Gaulding, Randy Gentry, John Batten, Trey Mitchell, and Kyle Beattie have all had bright moments in the 2012 PASS South season and hope for even more excitement at the Fairgrounds.

In a race like the All American 400, experience can be a major factor to going to victory lane. Former winners Mike Garvey, Eddie Hoffman, and Johnny Van Doorn, along with Deep South veterans Donnie Wilson, Scott Carlson, Dillon Oliver, Allen Karnes and Dennis Schoenfeld, have raced at the .596 mile speed plant in the past and hope that plays into their favor. While youngsters like Kyle Benjamin, Spencer Davis and Anderson Bowen are counting on youth and exuberance to outlast old age and cunning.

And, finally, how could you have an All American 400 without mentioning the stellar field of drivers attempting to qualify from the Volunteer State? Two-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin, former track champion Mark Day, and 2012 Fairgrounds winner Willie Allen expect home track experience to pay off with a victory in the All American 400. Other Tennessee drivers currently pre-entered include: second generation racer Clay Alexander, Tyler Miles, Bobby Wingo, and Mason Mingus.

On track activities kick off on Thursday, October 4th at 8:30 AM with PASS South Super Late Model practice for the All American 400 and will be followed by championship racing on the quarter mile later that evening. On Friday, October 5th, PASS South Super Late Models and Hunter’s Sand & Gravel Pro Late Models will practice in the morning and qualify at 5:30 PM. The O’Reilly Sportsmans, SEC Limited Late Models, and Open Wheel Modifieds will have championship racing slated to begin at 8 PM. On Saturday, October 6th, grandstand gates open at 11:30 AM, with Last Chance Races for the PASS South Super Late Models at 1 PM, a 125 lap championship race for the Hunter’s Sand & Gravel Pro Late Models at 2:30 PM, and the green flag for the 28th All American 400 at 6 PM.

All Nashville competitors please note that mufflers are MANDATORY at the Fairgrounds Speedway. It is recommended that you use either Brzezinski or Howe mufflers without modifications. The track is in the process of renewing their lease and the noise restrictions are strictly enforced. If your car does not meet the requirements, you will be required to make changes in order to compete. If you have any questions regarding these requirements you may contact either PASS (Scott Reed at 207-625-3230 or scottreedpass @yahoo.com) or Fairgrounds Speedway. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Tickets can for the 28th All American 400 are available and can be purchased at ProAllStarsSeries.com or AllAmerican400.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or [email protected]. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information and don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook to keep up with breaking news as it happens.